The Nodders

a treasure hunting trophy to be sure ....

In the past I had many vintage skull themed knick-knacks, which I sold when preparing for my great migration to Thailand. There were some great finds at the local consignment shop when I let go of my stash of creepy chic collectibles. I thought it would be more difficult to purge them, but I was trading the weight of stuff for the freedom of new experiences.

The coolest salt and pepper shaker set I had were too cool to use (i felt - which was defeating the purpose of course). A Xmas gift from mom and dad, ‘the nodders’ were probably from the 1940’s. The base a china box glazed pale magenta with blotches - kind of a treasure chest with no lid. There were two holes in the top and into each the shakers sat, atop the bottom jaws. Topped with skulls glazed white with gold accents, when filled with the right amount of salt and pepper, the weight at the bottom caused them to bob up and down laughing merrily in tandem or not.

A surreal curiosity that amused and entertained - meant for the table but displayed proudly on a shelf - in all it’s Addam’s family aesthetic glory - a treasure hunting trophy to be sure. I think I would have got on with the original owners …

Were they beatniks, artists, eccentric hermits, compulsive collectors, musicians, morticians? I will never know but it is fun to wonder.